Released 31/03/2022
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman is reminding Canberrans to check their smoke alarms this weekend as daylight saving ends and the weather cools.
“Ensuring your home has working smoke alarms in the correct locations is critical to keeping your loved ones and your properties safe – because only working smoke alarms save lives,” Minister Gentleman said.
“Putting your clocks back an hour is a reminder to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms.
“As temperatures start to drop, we all start to use our heaters and electric blankets, which increases the fire risk in our homes.”
ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTF&R) Chief Officer Matthew Mavity said incorrectly placed smoke alarms can result in tragedy.
“In 2021, 80 per cent of house fires had a working smoke alarm that wasn’t installed in the correct areas of the home, meaning the alarm couldn’t alert the residents,” Chief Officer Mavity said.
“Smoke alarms should be installed on or near the ceiling in bedrooms or in the corridor that leads to bedrooms. If you have a multi-level home, smoke alarms must be installed on each level.
“Having a working smoke alarm provides a critical early warning, giving you and your family time to escape safely and increasing the chance of saving your home.”
ACTF&R will attend several shopping centres on Saturday 2 April to provide community safety advice and assistance on smoke alarms.
For more information on smoke alarms and home fire safety visit esa.act.gov.au/cbr-be-emergency-ready.
ACTF&R shopping centre pop-ups, Saturday 2 April 2022, 9am to noon:
- Amaroo Village Shopping Centre, Inside the main entrance, 815 Horsepark Drive, Canberra
- Chisholm Village Shopping Centre, Outside Coles, 42 Halley Street, Chisholm
- Cooleman Court, In between Coffee Guru and Bakers Delight, Brierly Street, Weston
- Kippax Shopping Centre, Outside Woolworths, 48 Hardwick Crescent, Holt
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Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases